Nazeer Baig whom Pakistani's across the globe know as Nadeem, had a flair for music since the early 1960s,
when he was studying in Islamia College, in sun-blessed Karachi, Pakistan.

He was extremely interested in becoming a singer; instead composer Sohail Rana took him to the silver screen.

Thus, Nadeem embarked upon a movie career and his first film, 'Chakori' was released in 1967, in former
East Pakistan. ('Chakori', director: Captain Ehtesham, composer: Robin Ghosh, starring Nadeem, Shabana, status: Diamond jubilee).

'Chakori' not only proved to be a big-hit at the box office but it also highlighted Nadeem's immense acting
potential.

In addition, 'Chakori' also set a precedent for other good movies.

In the same year, that is 1967, director Ehtesham's younger brother, Mustafeez, signed Nadeem and Shabana
as a romantic pair in his film 'Chotay Saheb', which was released in former East Pakistan.

The film 'Chand aur chandni', which was released in 1968,in former East Pakistan, is a testament to Nadeem's
artistic understanding. ('Chand aur chandni', director: Ehtesham, composer: Karim Shahabuddin, starring Nadeem, Shabana.

The film 'Quli'director, Mustafeez, composer, Ali Husain, stars, Nadeem, Shabana, released in former East
Pakistan.

Dedicated artist and dashing heartthrob of the film 'Fasana-e-dil', Nadeem incites the pride and passion
of Pakistan, both at home and abroad:

'Fasana-e-dil': Director, Zafar Shabab, Nadeem, and Deeba.

'Daman ki Aag': Director, Zafar Shabab, Nadeem, Deeba.

‘Deewangi’: Director, Zafar Shabab, Nadeem, and Deeba.

Nadeem's fame knew no bounds and in 1968, he migrated to what was then West Pakistan, where the film producers
and directors had been impatiently waiting to cast him in their movies.

Movies like ‘Daagh’ lend the agog moviegoer believability. ('Daagh', director, Ehtesham, stars,
Nadeem, Shabana, released in 1969, in former East Pakistan)

Shabab Kiranvi's son, Zafar Shabab, selected Nadeem for his movie, 'Sungdil', opposite Deeba and Rozina
and which undoubtedly appealed to the audiences.

'Sungdil' was also the debut movie for Masood Akhtar, who played the role of a villain.

Both audiences and critics alike equally cherish the film ‘Anari’. ('Anari'1969, director,
Mustafeez, Nadeem, Shabana, released in former East Pakistan)

In 1974, while Nadeem was residing in Pakistan, director Ehtesham, Nadeem's father-in-law, flew to Pakistan
from Bangladesh, to visit his son-in-law, daughter Farzana (Nadeem's wife) and his grandson (Nadeem's son).

During his stay in Pakistan, Ehtesham directed Nadeem's production, film 'Mitti kay putlay'.

In 1984, Nadeem went back to Bangladesh to work in Ehtesham's movie, 'Basayra', opposite Shabana.

Nadeem, who is largely recognized as an insignia of success, radiates pride in the choices he has made:

'Aa'ena' Nadeem, Shabnam. ('Aa'ena' won 12 Nigar awards and that record was broken by the mega hit movie,
'Chooriyaan')

'Bandish' Nadeem, Shabnam.

'Amber' Nadeem, Mumtaz.

'Aangan' Nadeem, Babra.

'Deewanay dou' Nadeem, Babra.

'Barood ki chaaon'Nadeem, Kavita.

'Aandhi' Nadeem, Shabana.

Lyrics in the film 'Ehsaas' are good enough to be devoured, memorized and insinuated into daily conversation.

Iqbal Kaashmiri directed the following five movies:

'Mukhra (punjabi film) Nadeem, Babra.

'Tees maar khan' Nadeem, Nadira.

'International luteray' Nadeem, Saima.

'Jo dar gaya wo mar gaya' Nadeem, Atiqa Odho.

'Mummi' Nadeem, Atiqa Odho.

There are quite a number of films like 'Mukhra' which have been emblazoned in the mind of the fans.

His admirers not only regard him as an indispensable figure of the Pakistani film industry but also as
one of the pillars of our social life, a delightful companion to the life of the 21-century Pakistan and an endlessly fascinating
personality in his own right.

Syed Noor directed the following three movies:

'Jeewa'

'Deewanay teray pyar kay'

'Dopatta jal raha hai'

Nadeem loses himself in his work and he has always done justice to it. A quick example is the film 'Play
boy’, which was directed by Shamim Ara, starring Nadeem, Babra.

We are indebted to his well-spent life and to the assiduity with which he performed his role in innumerable
Pakistani movies.

Sangeeta directed the following seven movies:

'Ishq Ishq' Nadeem, Kavita.

'Mutthi bhar chawal' Nadeem, Sangeeta, Kavita.

'Mehendi lagi meray haath.' Nadeem, Sangeeta, Kavita.

'Mehel meray sapno ka' Nadeem, Kavita.

'Mian bewe razi' Nadeem, Kavita.

'Thori see baywafai' Nadeem, Kavita.

'Taqat ka toofan' Nadeem, Salma Agha.

Nadeem had the rare honor to won the maximum number of Nigar awards, eighteen altogether.

After bestowing the eighteenth Nigar award to him, the Nigar award committee came to the conclusion that
Nadeem is peerless, that Nadeem's brilliant acting is above all awards.

Besides, to present an award to him is to undermine his superfluous art.

Given here below is a list of Nadeem's Nigar awards:

The film 'Chakori' 1966.

The film 'Ehsaas' 1972.

The film 'Anari' 1975.

The film 'Aa'ena' 1977.

The film 'Pakeeza' 1979.

The film 'saima' 1980.

The film 'Qurbani' 1981.

The film 'Sungdil' 1982.

The film 'Dehleez' 1983.

The film 'La zawal' 1984.

The film 'Naraaz' 1985.

The film 'Faisala'1986.

The film 'Choroan ki baraat' 1987

The film ‘Mukhra’ (Punjabi) 1988.

The film 'Barood ki chaoon' 1989.

The film 'Watan kay rakhwalay' 1991.

The film 'Gori deyaan jhanjharaan' 1992.

Further, apart from receiving eighteen Nigar awards, Nadeem had been declared to be the winner of this
prestigious award continuously for eleven years in a row, which itself is a feat that has never been and might never be seen
in the annals of the Pakistan film industry.

Lately, Nadeem have appeared in character actor roles in the films.

Most recently, he gained a lot of appreciation in the Pakistan television's drama serial 'Besaat'.

Perhaps, one of these days, Nadeem will decide to quit, and then the absence of his larger-than life silver
screen image will definitely leave a cavernous hole, which may never be filled again.

Scores of movies which affirms unimpeachable integrity of Nadeem as an actor of the highest repute would
certainly stand as a beacon to young, enthusiastic men and women to guarantee that the beacon they would lit would survive.

Anis Shakur works for the Downstate Medical Center and V.A. Hospital, N.Y.